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The Germination and Emergence Responses of Polymer-Coated Fuzzy Cottonseed

K.D.Williams, N.W.Hopper and T. Wedegaertner


 
ABSTRACT

Currently cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) must be delinted to be used in modern planting equipment. The two most common methods are wet acid delinting using sulfuric acid and gas delinting using hydrogen chloride. There are several possible problems associated with acid delinting including damage to seed quality by improper procedures during the acid delinting process, damage to the seed by ammonia during the neutralization process, worker safety concerns, and disposal issues. If coating does not negatively effect germination and emergence of the seed, then polymer coating of fuzzy cottonseed to improve the flowability may be one way to avoid the potential problems associated with acid delinting.

In this study the effects on germination and emergence of coating fuzzy cottonseed with the EasiFlo polymer were studied. Four cultivars (PM2326RR, PM2200RR, DP2379, and DP2156) were utilized. Each cultivar was coated with EasiFlo polymer at 0, 1.5, 3, and 4.5% of seed weight to study the effects of rate on germination and emergence. After the coating was applied, each treatment had a fungicide mixture applied. To determine the effect on seed germination, 4 replications of 50 seed per treatment per test were rolled on moist germination towels. The treatments were then subjected to the Cool Germination test and Warm Germination test. The Cool Warm Vigor Index was calculated by numerically adding the results from the four day warm germination percentage and the seven day Cool Germination test. To determine establishment (rate and total) 3 replications of 50 seed per treatment were placed on wet sand and covered with an inch of dry sand in plastic containers. The containers were placed in a warm chamber and the emerged seedlings were counted daily. The Establishment Index (EI) at day 13 was expressed as a percentage of planted seed that emerged. The Emergence Rate Index was also calculated from these data (rate and total emergence).

Under the conditions of this study, variety differences existed for the Warm Germination (10 day), Cool Germination, Emergence Rate Index and Establishment Index values. However, for the Cool Warm Vigor Index, a variety by polymer interaction was noted, suggesting that CWVI did not respond in the same manner for each variety across the different EasiFlo polymer rates. No pattern was obvious to explain the differences in the CWVI across polymer rates for the varieties. With the exception of the Cool Warm Vigor Index test, the Easiflow polymer itself did not significantly effect germination (Warm and Cool tests) and emergence (ERI and EI-13 days). Our data suggest that the use of EasiFlo polymer to treat fuzzy cottonseed for planting should not negatively effect seed germination and emergence.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1999 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 623 - 625
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Monday, Jun 21 1999